Real people. Real stories.

    A former resident of St. Louis, where he founded the Observable Poetry reading series, he now lives in Hillsborough, North Carolina.

    Major Jackson, through both formal and free verse poems, renders visible the spirit of resilience, courage, and creativity he witnessed among his family, neighbors, and friends while growing up in Philadelphia. His poems hauntingly reflect urban decay and violence, yet at the same time they rejoice in the sustaining power of music and the potency of community. Jackson also honors artists who have served as models of resistance and maintained their own faith in the belief of the imagination to alter lives. The title poem, a dramatic monologue in the voice of the American jazz composer and bandleader Sun Ra, details such a humane program and serves as an admirable tribute to the tradition of African American art. Throughout, Jackson unflinchingly portrays our most devastated landscapes, yet with a vividness and compassion that expose the depth of his imaginative powers.

    

    Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

    His third book in a decade, Some Values of Landscape and Weather revives poetic architectures such as elegy, song and litany, to build what he calls "a comprehensive music." Here musical and pictorial values perform against a backdrop of political, social and ethical values. These intense and exacting poems traverse a landscape of cultural memory that opens into the explosive, vibrant registers of the now. John Ashbery has written that Gizzi's poems are "simultaneously all over the page and right on target. He is the most exciting poet to come along in quite a while."

    For years, she stayed in a marriage that held no value or substance. She dedicated four years of her life to a man who lied, cheated, and walked all over her heart. At the age of twenty-four years old, she should have been wild and living her best life. After Xavier delivers another powerful blow to her heart, Ivy has no interest in sticking around to save her sunken marriage. The moment Ivy signs the divorce papers, she feels alive and free. She's on a mission to get her life back, and put the past behind her. When she parks her U-Haul in her neighbor's assigned spot, she comes face to face with the sexiest man on God’s green Earth. Since his junior year in high school, Zane worked the streets of Detroit, and now he was leaving his ruthless ways behind him and focusing on his upholstery shop. Zane was now just a regular guy, who was trying to make a way for his eight-year-old daughter. He had been with a few women here and there, but not anyone who could potentially capture his heart. Falling in love wasn't on his agenda, and if it was, his nagging baby mama, Timeka, wouldn't make it easy. After a frustrating day at work, all Zane wanted to do was go home, turn on his TV, and relax. He notices his new neighbor, and instantly, he is mesmerized by her good looks and perfect body. After a run in that leaves both Ivy and Zane wanting to do more than just borrow a cup of sugar, they avoid each other as much as possible. The inevitable occurs, and Ivy and Zane are forced to face the elephant in the room. Being in Zane's presence did something to Ivy, and she could no longer resist what her body and heart desired. Zane is falling hard for Ivy, but where there is happiness, evil lurks. When the past can't let you go, secrets are put to the forefront, and enemies are watching your every move, can Ivy and Zane survive the madness?

    Drained from the drama, she lets go and embarks on a new job, new friends and maybe a new love interest. When old feelings come back and family secrets are revealed will this push Miaa further away from Cam or will it push her into his arms. Now that he is the Plug of Detroit, Killa Cam's life obstacles have only just begun. Balancing the streets, fatherhood and the love of his life is a challenge but he is prepared to overcome it by any means necessary. With this newfound maturity, will Cam be able to get what his heart desires or will the streets get in the way of his happiness. The story of Miaa and Killa Cam is back. Will they be able to move on from their love triangle drama and give love another try or will they decide that they are better off apart. When threats are made and truths are told, will they fight to be together or just become another unsuccessful love story. Find out in the finale of A Dope Boy Stole My Heart.

    The total package. The only problem is that her heart led her to the wrong man. Never one to force what isn’t meant to be, Lawrynn has no problem walking away from a relationship that just wasn’t in the cards. Pain is the man on the street with women at his disposal. Even though Pain can have his pick of the litter when it comes to women, he still decides to bite the forbidden fruit by crossing the line with Lawrynn’s cousin Nikki. Maurice “Murder” Jackson is a boss in his own right and carried himself as such. Never speaking unless a point had to be made, everything he said and did had a rhyme and reason behind it. Murder had warned Pain about his philandering ways in the streets and the risk of losing his girl to a real man, but what happens when that real man is none other than Murder himself? What happens when lines of The G Code are crossed? One thing is for sure, the same thing that makes you laugh will definitely make you cry. The ladies will find out that no matter how hard you try, you Can’t Stop The Love Of A Boss.

    Not only is it a requirement, but he has six months to make it happen. The journey reveals things about himself that he never took the time to acknowledge. Ever the traveler, Lawrence hasn’t taken the time to make real connections with people until he enlists the help of Brielle Golden. Brielle Golden is a matchmaking extraordinaire that struggles with her own love life. She has all the tools to assist those willing to pay to find something she wants more than anything but thinks she will never have. Love is dodging her, and she doesn’t understand why. In her eyes, she’s the perfect catch, however, the fear of rejection is a powerful emotion to tackle by yourself. As the work begins to help Lawrence find a mate, souls collide, and things start to change within the mutual business partnership. In the midst of sorting feelings out, Brielle's smile changes and Lawrence's heart begins to beat again. But trouble arises forcing them to do something crazy to get them both out of the mess that his fathers’ wishes created. Will Lawrence find a wife and make his father proud by succumbing to The Golden Effect, or will both he and Brielle find themselves surrounded by the darkness of life without love when their partnership comes to an end?

    Devastated that Juelz married his long lost fiance, Ciera has to make a hard decision for herself and her unborn child. Will she be able to get through her pregnancy drama free or will she be forced to return and face Juelz? Two of the people who Juelz considered closest to him have committed the ultimate act of betrayal. The excitement of Kenya's return is causing him to walk around blind to the truth. Will Juelz be able to see through the lies and realize who is really in his corner before it is too late, or will loyalty be his ultimate downfall. While rescuing Ari and his niece Kari, bullets hit Zelan and it may be the end of their perfect romance. Will Zelan be strong enough to pull through, and grow old with Ari? He is the key to Juelz finding out Kenya's hidden lies, but will he live to reveal them? In the end, everyone will have to make hard decisions that they never saw coming. Ari and Ciera will be forced to admit that a Billionaire Finessed their Hearts but is that a good or bad thing?

    Searching for answers from his own past, James suddenly finds himself back in war torn Britain in December 1944 facing a new and very dangerous reality. James is enlisted as a member of an RAF bomber crew and is forced to face the horror of war in the skies over Nazi occupied Europe, an icy death in the English Channel and an execution at the hands of a crazed Gestapo officer. He also finds love amidst the drama of war and finally discovers that the reality of life on our world isn’t quite what we think it is.Out of time follows on from the extraordinary success of The Angel of Time by Michael Stewart. If you enjoy the thrill of historic war-time fiction coupled with a thought provoking twist. All sales during November will be donated to The Poppy Appeal!

    Neglected by his parents his whole life, he’s finally found the family that he’s always wanted at the shop. He thinks he’s got everything that he needs...until Darcy walks into the shop.One look at the shy girl with the kind eyes and the curvy body of a goddess and Atlas is hooked. Now, he just needs to show Darcy that he’s here to stay.Mischa:Love, romance, dating. Mischa Jennings wants no part of any of it. He’s seen up close and personal how love can ruin your life and he’s vowed to stay far away from that emotion. Armed with a set of rules to keep him safe, he’s been going through life just fine. Then Indie Hearst comes bouncing into Eye Candy Ink and turns his whole world upside down.Suddenly, he’s breaking every one of his rules, but it’s okay. He’s not even close to falling for Indie.Right?Sam:Sam Kavan has grown up learning to be tough, at least on the outside. Like everyone else at Eye Candy Ink, she’s not interested in falling in love. In fact, after a string of failed dates, she's grown disillusioned with dating. She doesn't want to go out with boys who send her dick pics or who text at midnight looking to hook up. She wants someone that she can rely on—someone who loves and wants her for her. She wants a real man.Then she meets Maxwell Schulz, and she wonders if she’s finally met her match.Zeke:Zeke Miller is the owner of Eye Candy Ink and the father figure to everyone at the shop. He’s spent years building Eye Candy Ink into what it is today. While others dated and settled down, he worked, honing his skills until he’s one of the best and most sought after tattoo artists in the world. At thirty-six, he thinks his time to meet someone has passed and he’s resigned to being happy with the family that he’s found at his shop.Then Trixie Clemonte comes into Eye Candy Ink. She has all of his protective instincts kicking in. But none of them are fatherly.Nico:Nico Miller is the quiet, silent type. With ten years of experience, he’s probably the best artist at the shop. He's a giant at 6'8" and built like a linebacker with tattoos covering his neck and torso. Most people are a little afraid of him when they first meet him, but it doesn’t take long to see that while he might look scary, with his almost permanent frown, tattoos, and size, he was actually a giant teddy bear.Most of the time, he can’t wait for people to leave, but one encounter with Edie, and he doesn’t want to let her go. Will he be able to convince her that settling down with him doesn’t mean settling?

    There’s nothing like those fresh labels and enough women to start a cheerleading team. Being the highlight of the city can be a good thing or a bad thing. It causes a lot of enemies and a lot of problems. Memphis is a single dope boy that doesn’t mind switching women and stuntin’. He has the money and the hate that comes with but what he wants takes times. Memphis is not a patient man and is used to having his way throughout life but when he encounters the woman he’s been trying to have; she has stipulations that he can barely stick to. Miami, the wild baby boy that makes things happen for his family. He’s young but he’s wise and is always ten steps ahead of his enemy. Miami has one weakness and his enemy tries to use it against him. He drives himself crazy trying to put the pieces to the puzzle together, even pushing his family away. Nobody wants to see Miami lose his cool because when he does, somebody dies. See what’s the big deal about a dope boy. Are they really worth the hype or they just another dude full of drama and empty promises?

    Lexus is the middle daughter and being Big Jim’s princess has been nothing shy of perfect for her, until she meets Xavier, or Zay, as he’s known in the streets. Zay is a new soldier who was hired by her brother, Princeton to work for their family. As soon as Lexus and Zay meet there’s an instant attraction, especially since he played hero for her and her best friend, Malaysia. Zay feels the attraction to Lexus almost immediately, but has been warned by her brother that she is off limits. Malaysia is the jealous best friend who wants what Lexus has, by any means necessary. What is she willing to do to get what she wants? Princeton is the only son, who plans to follow in his dad’s footsteps. The tension between he and Big Jim is seen by everyone on the crew. As their beef continues to boil out of control, Princeton begins his plans to take over the empire. But will he wait for his dad to step down before he takes his spot as king of Brooklyn? Will Lexus and Zay be able to fight their feelings for each other or will they act on those feelings despite the warnings from her family? Will Malaysia be the best friend she portrays herself to be or will her jealousy drive a wedge between her and Lexus? Will Princeton’s drama take him to the top or will it be his downfall? Find out how this family gets down as everyone tries to claim what’s theirs, even when it belongs to someone else.